Doing certain actions in memory of the deceased
Question
Is it permissible to do certain things in dedication of a deceased person? For example, if the deceased used to like racing or boxing, can we do the same in memory of the deceased?
Answer
Apart from these activities being a waste of time and money, they do not bring any benefit to the deceased in any way. A believer should value the bounty of life which Allah Ta’ala has granted him and take lesson from the death of the deceased. If one wishes to benefit the deceased, then he may recite a portion of the Quraan Shareef or give some sadaqah and convey the reward of the good deeds to the deceased.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿المؤمنون: ١١٥﴾
وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿العنكبوت: ٦٤﴾
عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة: إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له.(صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1631)
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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